While summer seems to have only just begun, our little home garden is already bursting with a mini-harvest of juicy strawberries, plump peas, and garlic. Surrounded by this early harvest, I can't help but also notice the abundance of unripe fruits and vegetables waiting their turn. This, along with my little helper Judah who is usually more focused on "eating" than "picking" our little harvests, reminds me of the beautiful truth in Ecclesiastes 3:
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens..."
(Ecclesiastes 3:1)
This verse speaks volumes about life, even echoed in our gardens. Just as there's a time for planting and a time for harvest, there are seasons of joy and sorrow, celebration and loss, all coexisting within our Christian community.
Our garden, like life, can be unpredictable. Some plants fall victim to mischievous squirrels, while others wilt under the harsh sun. Yet, amidst these setbacks, we see beautiful flowers and the promise of future harvests. It's a humbling reminder that even with our best efforts, things don't always go according to plan. The weather, like life's unforeseen challenges, throws us curveballs.
However, the harvest, like our faith journey, isn't defined by its imperfections. The sweet strawberries we enjoy are a testament to the life-giving power of both sunshine and rain. Just as some plants struggle, we can also sometimes stumble on our faith journey. Our efforts don't always yield the fruit we envision.
But like a farmer who sows seeds despite the uncertainty of the weather, we must keep planting seeds of faith. We nurture our spiritual growth through prayer, scripture, and being led by the Holy Spirit. Even though we are imperfect, God works through us. It always reassures me that God works through me, but also sometimes in spite of me too! Jesus says to his disciples:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear
much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing...” (John 15:5)
It is only because of God that we get to be fruitful, but we get to play our part!
So, let us celebrate the journey of growing closer to Jesus, being guided by the Holy Spirit, and finding gratitude in the fruits of our lives. For in all seasons, God's constant provision sustains us.
